An Examination of the Factor Structures of the Computer Attitude Scale.

Nash, John B.; Moroz, Pauline A.

The first study described in this paper estimates the reliability of the four subscale versions of the 40-item Computer Attitude Scale (CAS), an instrument designed to measure attitudes toward learning about and using computers. It provides detailed information about the factor patterns of CAS subscales and evidence of the differential validity of the CAS among four groups with differing intensity of computer usage. A second study addresses the ambiguity of the computer confidence and computer anxiety CAS subscales. In the first study, 208 subjects (mostly certified teachers) completed the CAS. Correlations and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyze the data. The results confirm that the confidence and anxiety subscales measure along the same continuum. A new, smaller, subscale was created to reflect this relationship. In addition, a new factor, attitudes toward academic endeavors associated with computer training, was named. In the second study, 104 subjects completed the revised computer confidence/anxiety and computer liking subscales of the CAS. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the stability of the newly formed factor for confidence/anxiety. The CAS may now be interpreted as a 34-item scale covering computer liking, perceived usefulness of computers, computer confidence and anxiety, and attitudes toward academic endeavors associated with computer training. (Contains 5 tables and 29 references.) (Author/SLD)